Factory International has announced its roster of sponsors as Manchester International Festival prepares to take over the city from tomorrow (June 29) until July 16.
This year’s varied programme of original new work by artists from around the world will be unveiled in venues and spaces throughout the city and at Factory International’s much-anticipated new home, Aviva Studios, which opens its doors for the first time for the festival in advance of its official opening in October.
A major exhibition of Yayoi Kusama’s inflatable sculptures forms a centrepiece of the festival, the first work to be presented at Aviva Studios, inviting audiences to take an exhilarating journey through Kusama’s psychedelic creations.
Other highlights include performances from Angélique Kidjo, Alison Goldfrapp, Sanam Marvi, and John Grant; a collaboration exploring art and the beautiful game by curator Hans Ulrich Obrist and footballer Juan Mata, featuring new work by Tino Sehgal, and a chilling adaptation of a lost dystopian masterpiece in the depths of the John Rylands library by Maxine Peake, Sarah Frankcom and Imogen Knight.
Businesses from across the region have come together to support Factory International as it presents 18 extraordinary days of events, performances and happenings to Greater Manchester as part of MIF23.
Bruntwood is confirmed as an official partner, continuing its support of the festival since inception in 2007. The commercial property giant will be sponsoring the Festival Square stage for the first time this year.
Electricity North West will be continuing its long-running support of MIF by providing a fleet of electric vehicles to help transport artists, performers, and crew during the festival. Paul Bircham, safety, compliance and markets director at Electricity North West said: “We’re proud to be official partners of Factory International and MIF23. Our network connects communities and powers the success of a whole host of events like the festival and we’re really pleased to be playing our part in showcasing the region to the world.”
Selfridges, another long-time partner of MIF, will also be supporting the organisation as an official partner for the first time. Selfridges will kick off the new partnership by hosting an extension of MIF23 artwork The Find, titled Ryan Gander’s Intervention Space, at Selfridge’s Manchester Exchange, bringing together the phrases from The Find, as well as one of Gander’s famous vending machine artworks. Displaying stones and pebbles formed over thousands of years – which you can also buy – the sculptural work raises questions about how and why we value certain objects.
The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University have joined the MIF billing as senior supporters, with students from both universities working on variety of projects across the Festival.
Architectural firm Hawkins\Brown, who designed last year’s Festival Square in Cathedral Gardens, is returning to re-imagine Festival Square at Aviva Studios, Manchester’s newest cultural landmark and Factory International’s new home. The firms’ open and welcoming design strategy will be at the forefront of the design of the square. Regatta is also a Senior Supporter of the festival, providing specially branded kit for Factory International’s volunteer programme.
Tom Cunningham, head of commercial operations and partnerships at Factory International, said: “We are thrilled to have such a range of amazing partners and supporters for our upcoming festival. At Factory International, our aim is to partner with brands that share our commitment to creating meaningful social and environmental impact, while also supporting world-class arts, music, and culture. I firmly believe that strategic, value-led brand partnerships and sponsorships have the power to transform our world.
“The team are actively looking for businesses to partner with – if your business aligns with our values, please get in touch to see how we can partner as we prepare to open Aviva Studios and programme exciting work all year round.”
The full list of MIF23 sponsors includes: Bruntwood, Selfridges, Electricity North West, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), The Edwardian Manchester, BDP, Eversheds Sutherland, Hawkins\Brown, JLL, Regatta, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Manchester, Mills & Reeve, U+I, Buro Happold, Civic Engineers, Landmark Group, Levitt Bernstein, Shoosmiths, Turley, Urban Splash, Williams BMW, Workshop Properties.
